What is defined as a small-scale habitat that differs in abiotic and biotic factors from a larger surrounding habitat?

A microhabitat is characterized as a small-scale habitat that exhibits distinct abiotic conditions (such as temperature, moisture, light, and soil type) and biotic factors (like plant and animal species) that set it apart from the larger surrounding environment. Microhabitats can be as small as the area under a rock or a patch of soil, where specific species may thrive due to the unique conditions present.

For example, the area under a decaying log may provide a microhabitat that retains moisture and supports different microbial and fungal communities, distinct from the drier forest floor surrounding it. This concept is important in ecology, as it highlights how different organisms can occupy specific niches based on their unique habitat requirements.

The other options, while related, do not fully encapsulate the idea of a small-scale habitat that diverges from its larger context in the same way. A microclimate focuses more on local atmospheric conditions, a microenvironment may refer to smaller areas influencing something like plant growth, and biocoenosis describes the communities of organisms living together in a specified habitat, rather than defining the habitat itself.